If you have been considering starting a blog this is for you. It’s common to simply “just do it” when income isn’t the driving purpose for a blog, but if you plan to monetize — from the start or sometime down the road — having a blogging plan in place could be your key to making money sooner rather than later.
A blogging plan guides a blog along a path you hope to line with the mighty mula! Let’s explore what needs to be in this treasure map.
1. Define your mission.
Think about why you are blogging in the first place.
First up, you need to define your mission. Go ahead ask yourself “why did I think blogging was a good idea?” .
- What will you blog about?
- What value will you provide?
- Who will you blog for?
- What do you hope to accomplish with your words on the web?
Even if you’re dreaming of fame, state it. If you prefer lots of money, say so. Write it down. Simply writing your internet intentions will spark some amazing thoughts in your blogger brain.
2. Consider your ideal reader.
Who will benefit the most from reading your blog?
Next, consider your ideal reader. Sure, you can write to the world, but if you’re serious about this, it’s time to get clear on who you’re really talking to.
If at some point you want to write sponsored blog posts, for example, you need to be writing to a specific group of people. Let’s say you blog all about baking — your ideal readers might be baking enthusiasts or aspiring bakers. Perhaps you blog about TV shows and movies. You’ll need to be writing about all things film, such as movie premiers, screenings, movie trailers, merchandise, etc.
The beauty of figuring out your ideal reader is that it can practically develop your blog post ideas for you. Why? You’ll be thinking about what that ideal reader would want to know!
3. Think about monetization.
Third, think about how your blog will generate income. How will you make money? Although you might not have written a single word yet, it’s important to start thinking about how you will monetize your blog.
- Will you rely on Google AdSense?
- Do you hope to sell your own products?
- Are you planning to partner with brands to sell their products for an affiliate commission?
- Perhaps sponsored posts are what you would prefer?
Maybe you would like to try a combination of all of the above. All this is possible — just be sure to blog from a place of truth.
4. Plan your editorial calendar.
What will your editorial calendar look like? How often will you post content? You may need to do keyword research, develop monthly themes, and brainstorm post topics. Having an editorial calendar can help you stay organized, and think ahead about what needs to be addressed on your blog.
Download our editorial calendar template here.
5. Create a traffic strategy.
Once you write those amazing blog posts, how will you get readers on your blog content?
- Will you launch an email marketing campaign?
- Will social media be your main traffic source?
- What about guest posting with linkbacks?
Or do you have another killer traffic strategy? By writing down your ideas you can start using and analyzing them. Test them out to see what is working and what isn’t.
6. Get started.
So you’ve got all the above figured out, it’s time to get started. You will need to actually set up the blog Honestly, this might be the challenging bit.
- What blogging platform will you use?
- How will people access your blog?
- How will you structure your blog (UI)?
There are many things to consider when going about this. And it probably needs some technical skills. While you can do this yourself, why not let a professional handle this for you?
Foundation for success
Once you have these six steps addressed in your blogging plan, you’ll have a solid foundation to kick off your awesome new blog. Later you can think about things like expansion, product creation, collaborations and more.
The beauty of a web-based platform like a blog is that there is no limit to the possibilities that could be ahead of you.You could turn your blog into podcasts, YouTube videos, an eBook, a course — anything. The key to your growth is planning. Start with a plan, stick to the plan, and then as you grow, revisit and expand your plan. Here’s to your awesome blog!
